At least two persons got killed and over 10 were arrested
during a violent protest by disgruntled former Government of Liberia militiamen.

Hundreds of former GOL militias who had gathered at the 72nd
Military Barracks to be transported to the VOA disarmament site by UNMIL,
resorted to a protest action yesterday upon the latter’s apparent
failure to show up for the scheduled exercise.

According to some of the ex-combatants who spoke to The INQUIRER
Newspaper, their protest action that turned out to be violent, was aimed
at drawing the immediate attention of UNMIL to quickly have them disarmed
and demobilized.

Continuing, the ex-GOL fighters claimed that UNMIL have on
numerous occasions promised to transport them to the VOA disarmament site
for the exercise but that have failed to come through. “For every
time promised, they don’t come. Today again, they promised to come
this morning but surprisingly they (UNMIL) did not show up. We are tired
bearing arms. We want to disarm,” the combatants in a frustrated mood
iterated.

Marching from the 72nd Barracks through the Red-light Market
towards Congo Town apparently to reach the UNMIL Headquarters at the Old
German Embassy, the ex-GOL combatants stressed that they want to turn over
their arms now so as to start a new life by engaging in activities that
will improve their lives.

At the Red Light Market, several marketers and others sustained
losses as a result of looting that occasioned the protest action by the
ex-GOL combatants.

The situation became very tense as the ex-combatants who were
brandishing sticks and other objects set up roadblocks that disrupted the
normal flow of traffic in the affected areas. They also engaged in throwing
missiles that smashed the windshields of cars that left many sustaining
injuries of various degrees, while defenseless citizens including students
ran in different directions for safety.

The lifeless body of male was seen at the Zone-5 police depot,
while one other corpse was observed lying around the Congo Town back road
junction, both believed to be casualties of the unfortunate event of yesterday.

No formal report was received about the death of the two persons,
but an account said the body at the Zone-5 police depot station was the
result of an attempt by the victim to loot a shop in the area..

The protesting combatants said they will continue their action
until UNMIL can take them to the disarmament site and give them their just
compensation.

“We have disarmed since December but are yet to receive
our DDRR benefits. UNMIL is taking us for a ride because they paid MODEL
and LURD fighters as they disarmed. We are not stopping until Jacques Paul
Klein can see the need to give us our benefit. We are tired, tired and tired.
We want to disarm,” the fighters in a desperate mood hinted The INQUIRER.

All attempts by former GOL front-line commander, Gen. Roland
Duo, to control the situation proved futile as the fighters at some point
threatened to kill anyone who should stand in their way.

They accused Gen. Duo of siding with UNMIL to compromise their
interest. “Gen. Duo is a traitor. He is working with UNMIL to seek
his own interest. We will not listen to him,” the ex-GOL combatants
maintained.

In spite of their threatening remarks, UNMIL military police
in collaboration with the Liberia National Police were able to stop the
disgruntled fighters from coming beyond the Congo Town back road junction
where over 10 were arrested.

The police fired tear gas and chased the fighters who later
fled the scene in different directions.

In a brief chitchat with journalists, UNMIL police commissioner,
Mark A. Kroeker said UNMIL police along with LNP were doing all they can
to bring the situation under control.

He expected his men to have taken about an hour to quiet the
situation.

Commenting on casualties, Commissioner Kroeker could not confirm
any death but said, obviously some persons might have suffered some injuries
though he at the time could not give any detail.

Speaking on UNMIL Radio yesterday evening, the head of Sector
One and UNMIL’s Deputy Force Commander Gen. Joseph Owonibi dismissed
the claim of the ex-GOL protestors, saying, “they were not scheduled
to be disarmed now.”

He maintained that at the moment, UNMIL is disarming only
those with guns and ammunition after which those with yellow chits will
be looked at.

He said those that were disarmed but not paid will have their
turn to be disarmed. Gen. Owonibi confirmed that the situation has been
brought under control and that UNMIL was patrolling the area.

For his part, UNMIL CIVPOL Commissioner Kroeker speaking on
the same UNMIL Radio, called on residents of the area to report any unusual
assembling of people.